Austin vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 15,520,000 731,387 259,453 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Czech
Level of English Very high Low Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October May - September January - May, October - December June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $659 $922 $2143 $1806
Rent $1650 $354 $400 $923 $780
Groceries $243 $44 $91 $127 $158
Dining out $396 $81 $151 $207 $240
Cafe $66 $18 $21 $42 $53
Coworking space $331 $49 $79 $160 $175
Mobile internet $40 $3 $4 $21 $24
Public transportation $110 $6 $5 $17 $61
Taxis $73 $6 $12 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $2 $16 $49 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $11 $13 $97 $19
Museums and sights $11 $15 $9 $217 $35
Nightlife $124 $22 $43 $77 $50
Gym $62 $9 $22 $42 $56
Yoga $139 $23 $30 $54 $66
Massage $89 $15 $27 $101 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft BiTaksi Uber, Uklon N/A Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer!
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow